Crutch



Nov. 20, 1956 H. N. MAGIDA- CRUTCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 14. 1954 FIG! IN VEN TOR.

HERBERT N. MAGIDA ATTORNEY Nov. 20, 1956 H. N. MAGIDA 2,771,089

CRUTCH Filed Jan. 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR: HERBERT N. NIAGIDA ATTORNEY United States Patent O CRUTCH Herbert N. Magida, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 14, 1954, Serial No. 404,068 12 Claims. (cl. 13s-'50) This invention relates to walking crutches which are particularly adapted to aid crippled people in ascending and descending stairs and other elevated surfaces.

It is well known that paraplegics and other persons suffering from the loss or impairment of their legs find it dicult if not impossible to ascend and descend stairs. Those crippled persons who are able to ascend or descend stairs with the aid of crutches of the type preceding this invention invariably feel insecure because of the diculty in bracing themeselves securely while moving between steps.

One object of the invention is to provide a walking crutch which enables the operator to ascend and descend stairs and the like with a minimum of efort; another object of the invention is to provide a crutch which facilitates the ascending and descending of stairs by enabling the operator to support himself securely while moving from one stair to another; still another object of the invention is to provide a crutch of the above character which is adjustable so that the crutch may be utilized to ascend and descend stairs of different sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a crutch which may be used in the normal manner on at surfaces and which is adjustable quickly and easily into a crutch particularly suitable for use in ascending and descending stairs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a crutch of the above character which may be constructed vfrom crutch frames of conventional design; another object (of the invention is to provide an attachment for a crutch which may be easily connected to a crutch frame of conventional contruction so that a composite crutch structure results which may be used in the normal manner on at surfaces and which may be adjusted quickly into a crutch which is particularly adapted to aid an operator in ascending and descending stairs of various sizes.

One difhculty sometimes encountered by a person proceeding up or down stairs with the aid' of a pair of crutches of conventional design is that the crutches often sway laterally as the operator boosts himself up on the crutches in moving from one stair to another. This situation is particularly acute and dangerous in going down the stairs. By properly balancing his weight, an operator may reduce appreciably or eliminate this sway. A certain skill is required, however, which the operator may not possess. invention is to provide a novel crutch construction which minimizes or prevents lateral sway between a pair .of crutches.

Other-.objects of the invention include the provision of a crutch of the above character which is light in weight, occupies a minimum of space when in use and when stored in an unused condition, and which is simply constructed and inexpensive to manufacture. ln accordance with one form of the invention, an auxiliary supporting member is associated with a crutch Accordingly, another object of the v frame of more or less conventional construction. The auxiliary supporting leg is pivotally connected to the crutch frame preferably at a point substantially removed from both ends of the frame, and locking means is provided for selectively locking the auxiliary supporting leg in any one of a number of angular positions. The distance between the pivot axis and the ground-engaging end of the auxiliary supporting leg is also variable so that the crutch may be readily adjusted for use on stairs of varying sizes. The angle and length of the auxiliary supporting leg is preferably adjusted so that in ascending the stairs, the main crutch frame tilts forward from a vertical and the auxiliary supporting leg extends downward from an intermediate region of the crutch frame and braces against the junction of the next stair and the riser at the rearthereof. The ground-engaging end of the main frame portion of the crutch preferably rests on the stair immediately below the one being climbed at a point near the front thereof so that the points of support are as widely spaced as possible to provide a footing of maximum stability. In descending the stairs, the frame and auxiliary supporting leg may be oriented in substantially the same position used to ascend the stairs.

Where a personv is so crippled that the above-mentioned lateral swaying of the crutches becomes particularly important, across bar is preferably releasably connected between the crutches to join them rigidly together to prevent or materially reduce the lateral sway. Otherwise the cross bar may be omitted to reduce the weight of the crutches, and to enable the crutches to occupy a minimum space when not in use.

The elevation of the hands required for maximum comfort in walking with crutches on a at surface may be different from that which is necessary to obtain the necessary leverage in proceeding up or down stairs. Accordingly, a horizontally extending hand gripping bar may be provided which is adjustable in elevation.

Other features, advantages and objects of the invention will become apparent upon reference to the specification to follow and the drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the invention showing the orientation of the parts of a pair of crutches in stair-ascending or descending position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of one of the crutches, as viewed in the direction of the arrows 2-2 in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one of the crutches as viewed along section line 3 3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along section line 4-4 of Fig. 1;,`

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical side sectional view of a modied form of crutch;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a still further modifcation of the invention;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of a crutchshown in Fig. 5, taken along section line 7-7; and l Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along section line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

Refer now to the drawings where similar reference numerals indicate similar elements throughout.

The embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Figs. l through 4 comprises two laterally spaced crutches 2 and 4 secured vtogether by an anti-sway cross bar 6. The crutches and cross bar are preferably made of aluminum or other light weight metal. Each of the crutches includes a crutch frame 8 having an armpit engaging saddle member 10 at one end, a handle bar assembly 12,V and an extendible leg 14 at the vother end.

An extendible auxiliary supporting leg assembly 16 is secured to the side of each frame 8 by means of an adjustable pivot coupling 18.

The auxiliary supporting leg assembly 16 and the attached adjustable pivot coupling 1S form an integral unit which may be attached quickly and easily to the frame 8. This is important when the auxiliary leg assembly 16 is to be distributed to persons who have previously obtained the main crutch frame 8.

The leg assembly 16 includes an upper aluminum tubular body 20 and a lower aluminum tubular body 22 which is slidably received within the upper tubular body 20 to vary the overall length of the leg assembly. A suitable rubber cap 24 is telescoped over the bottom of the lower tube 22 to form a ground-engaging end therefor.

Means is provided for locking the lower tubular body 22 into a number of axial positions. This means includes a dcpressible pin 25, carried by the lower tubular body 22, which is extendible through one of a series of longitudinally spaced perforations 276 in the upper tubular body 20. The pin 25 is urged through an aperture 29 in the lower tube by a resilient band 2S secured within the lower tube. The lower edge of the upper tubular body 20 is slitted at 30 and an internally tapered nut 32 is threaded onto the bottom of the upper tubular body to press the slitted lower end thereof tightly around the lower tubular body 22.

The top end of the tubular body 20 is connected to the adjustable pivot coupling 18. This coupling includes a cylindrical boss 36 connected to the upper end of the outer tubular body 20. The boss is piyotally received over a pin 40 which extends axially from a disk member 42. The opposed faces 41 of the boss 36 and the disk member 42 are serrated so as to be interlockable with each other. A knob 44 is threaded over the end of the pin 40 and presses the boss 36 intointerlocking engagement with the disk member 42 to secure the leg assembly in a fixed position. When it is desired to vary the angle between the auxiliary leg 16 and the crutch frame 8, the knob 44 is loosened, the boss 36 is moved axially away from the disk member 42 and the auxiliary supporting member is moved to its desired position. The knob 44 is then tightened, forcing the head memberinto interlocking engagement with the disk member portion 42.

The disk member 42 may be secured in any suitable manner to the crutch frame 8 as by means of a split collar 46 which is of a size to telescope over the crutch frame 8. The split ends of the collar are tightly secured together around an intermediate portion of the frame 8 by a screw 48.

The crutch frame 8 may be made from aluminum tubular stock, as is the auxiliary supporting leg assembly 16. As shown, the frame comprises an upper tubular body 50 telescoped over a lower tubular body 52 which carries a rubber ground-engaging cap 53 at the bottom end thereof. The lower tubular body is adjustable within the upper tubular body 50 to vary the overall length of the crutch frame in the same manner as the crutch tubular portion Si) of the frame 8 and includes an internally threaded handle bar 59.v and` a` split collar 60 which surrounds the frame body 50.` The collar has a split, tapered neck 62 which threadedly receives the handle 59 thereover. The diameter of the internally threaded portion of the handle bar is slightly smaller than the normal diameter ofthe neck 62 so that the handle b ar forces the collarA 60. tightly.` ahouutheframe body 50. Axially spaced annular notches 64 are formed in the body 50 to provide annular shoulders on which the bottom of the collar 60 may rest to prevent axial slippage between the collar 60 and the crutch frame. The elevation of the handle bars is adjusted by loosening the handle bars 59 from the neck 62 and moving the collar into another position on the frame where the collar can be clamped about a different notch 64.

The anti-sway crossbar 6, which extends between the crutches 2 and 4, may be formed from a piece of aluminum tubing which is bent into a U-shape. The ends of the crossbar 6 may be secured to the upper tubular bodies of the crutch frames S by means of a pair of C- shaped rigid collars which closely surround the lateral sides and rear of the frame body 50 to prevent relative lateral movement therebetween. The end of each collar has an outwardly curled resilient clasping nger 72 which is deilected outward to permit the entry of a frame body 50 into the collar. The crossbar may thus be attached or removed quickly and. easily from the crutch frame. The collars 70 rest on pins V74 extending from the frame bodies 50. The intermediate portion 74' of the bross-bar is spaced an appreciable distance forward of the crutch frame so that it does not interfere with the body movements of the operator.

When the crutch assembly shown in Figs. l through 4 is utilized for walking on a flat surface, the auxiliary supporting legs 16 may be swung down and locked into a position where they are` in line with the upper tubular body portion 50 of the crutch frame. The crossbar 6 may be removed from one of the crutches and hung from the side of the other crutch by any suitable means (not shown). The handle bar assembly 12 is adjusted to a height which is most comfortable. When the crutches are to be used to aid a person in climbing stairs, the auxiliary,supportingV legs 16, are swung out from the crutch frames 8 and locked at the proper angle so that the ground-engaging caps 24 and 53 may engage respectively steps at different elevations. The lengths of the auxiliary legs 16 may be adjusted if necessary. The crossbar 6 may then be snapped into theposition shown, if needed.

The ground-engaging caps 24 and 53 should belocated as far apart as is practical. In the example illustrated, the ground-engaging end 24 of the auxiliary supporting leg 16 is in a position where it abuts the rear of a step 71 and the adjacent riser 73, while the ground-engaging end 53 of the main frame 8 engages the front of the lower step 75.` The inclined ofthe main frame S is preferably such that the armpit engaging saddle 10 is located above the upper step 71. The handle bars 59 may be raised into a position where the arms of the operator are bent so that upon stifening his arms he may` shim'my himself up over the saddle 10 onto the step 71. Then the crutch assembly is quickly positioned so that the ground-engaging end 24 rests at the rear of the next step to. be climbed and this process is repeated until all of the steps have been climbed.l l j To adjust the crutch in walking down the stairs, the auxiliary supporting member 16 may be swung rearwardly of the main crutch frame 8 so that the crutch may have an orientation similar to that shown in Fig. l. kIn such case, ofcourse, the anti-sway crossbar 6 would be positioned so tas to face down the stairs and, if desired, the handle bar assembly 12 may be swung around to project forwardly of the crutch frame if this position of the handle bar assembly is preferred.

It should be understood that the crutch assembly shown may. be utilized in a multitude of diiferent ways, depending upon the particular choice and skill of the operator. Also, the skill of the operator may make the crossbarl 6 unnecessary.

The auxiliary supporting member 16 provides a solid two` point support for each of the crutches, andi the antisway bar prevents any.y appreciable swayingof the.- crutch.

Reference should now be had to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5. The crutch there shown is similar to that described in Figs. 1-4 except for the auxiliary supporting leg assembly 16' and the pivot coupling 18. In the `embodiment of Fig. 5, the auxiliary supporting leg 16 is pivotally supported to the front of the crutch frame, rather than to the side thereof, as in the embodiment of Figs. l-4, and about an axis spaced substantially forward of the crutch frame, considering the crutch in the posi- -tion where itis used for walking up stairs. The auxiliary supporting member 16 is similar to the auxiliary supporting member 16 previously described except that the upper portion 20' of the outer tubular body is provided with a disk 76 having a series of apertures 78 falling along the `circumference of a common circle. A pivot bolt 80 pivotally supports the disk 76 between the spaced ears 77 formed at the end of an arm 79. An aperture 82 in one of the lears 77 is in register with one of the apertures 78 of the ldisk 76. The dening walls of the aperture 82 threadedly receive a screw 84 which extends into one of the apertures 78 to lock the auxiliary supporting leg assembly 16 in a fixed position. The position of the auxiliary supporting member 16 may be varied by removing the end of the screw 84 from the `aperture 78 and pivoting the leg into a position Where the screw 84 is in line with another disk aperture 76. The screw 84 is then rotated to extend the end thereof into the aperture 78.

The other end of the bifurcated arm 79 terminates in a split collar S6 which is secured to the tubular body 50 of the crutch frame by a screw 88. This embodiment provides a more n'gid crutch structure than the embodiment of Figs. 1-4.

Refer now to the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 through 8 which shows another modified form of the invention. In this embodiment, a modified auxiliary supporting leg 16 is connected to a crutch frame 8 by a modified pivot coupling 18". The leg 16 comprises an aluminum tube 90 having a series of longitudinally spaced notches 92 formed in one side of the top end portion of the leg. The leg extends through and is slidably received in a complementary bore 94 formed in a cylindrical member 96 making up part of the pivot coupling 18". The cylindrical member 96 is pivotally supported on a pin 98 extending from a `disk member 100. The opposed faces of these members are serrated at 102 so as to be interlockable. A knob 103 is threaded over the pin 98 to press the members into interlocking engagement with one another. The disk member 100 is secured to a bracket 104 which clamps onto the crutch frame 8". The leg 90 is thus adjustable into a number of angular positions relative to the frame 8, in a manner similar to that described in connection with the pivot coupling 18 of Figs. 1-4.

Means is provided to adjustably secure the leg 90 in a number of axial positions within the bore 102. The means includes a pin 108 urged by a spring 110 through a transverse aperture 112 in the member 96 and into the bore 94 to engage the notches 92 on the supporting leg to retain it in place. The supporting leg 16" may be slid within the bore 94 when the pin 108 is removed from the notches. The distance which this supporting leg extends from the pivot coupling 18" may be varied by rotating the leg so that the notches 92 are brought out of engagement with the pin 108. The supporting leg may then be moved -axially within the bore 102 to adjust the leg to the proper length. The leg is locked into position by rotating the leg to bring the notches into engagement with the pin 108.

The crutch frame 8" comprises a pair of wooden frame members 113 joined at the top by an armpit engaging saddle 114' and at the bottom by a depending supporting leg 115. A handle bar assembly 116 is provided which may be elevated to a number of diierent positions. To this end, the handle bar assembly 116 includes a cylindrical handle bar 120 which has an axial cylindrical bore 122 therethrough which receives a pair of axial locking pins 124. A spring 126 is located within `the bore 122 and between the innerends of the locking pins so that the pins are urged outwardly to a position where the outer edges thereof project beyond the ends of the cylindrical bar 120. The locking pins may be completely telescoped within the cylindrical body by means of a pair of headed members 128 which laterally extend from the locking pins 124. Longitudinal slots 130 are formed in the cylindrical bar 120 which receive the shanks of the headed members 128. The slots 130 provide clearance for the axial movement of the members 128 so that upon pressing the members 128 toward one another the ends of the locking pins 124 may be recessed within the handle bar 120. A series of cylindrical apertures 132 are formed on the inner faces `of the crutch frame members 113 into which the end of the locking pins 124 may extend to secure the handle bar assembly into any number of positions on the frame. t

The crutch shown in Figs. 6 through 8 is used in the same manner described in connection with the embodiment of Figs. l through 4 and a further explanation is therefore not necessary. l

It should be nnderstood that numerous modifications may be made of the specic embodiment above described without deviating from the broader aspects of the invention.

I claim: v

l. In combination with a walking crutch frame having a ground-engaging end, auxiliary supporting means having a bottom supporting end, means for pivotally connecting said auxiliary supporting means to said crutch frame at a point spaced a substantial distance from both ends of the crutch frame, locking means for fixing the langle between said crutch frame and vsaid auxiliary supporting means, and means for selectively varying the distance between the bottom end of the auxiliary supporting means and the pivot axis thereof.

2. In combination with a walking crutch frame having a ground-engaging end, auxiliary supporting means having a bottom supporting end, means for pivotally `connecting s'aid auxiliary supporting means to said crutch frame, locking'means for fixing the angle between said crutch frame and said auxiliary supporting means, and means for selectively -varying the distance between the bottom end of the auxiliary supporting means and the pivot axis thereof. v

3. In combination with a walking crutch frame having a ground-engaging end, an auxiliary supporting means, said auxiliary supporting means having respective portions which are in sliding telescopic relationship with each other so that the overall length of said auxiliary supporting means may be varied, means for locking said telescoped portions into a .selected position, means for pivotally connecting said auxiliary supporting means to said crutch frame, and locking means for lixing the angle between said crutch frame and said auxiliary supporting means.

4. In combination with a walking crutch frame having a ground-engaging end, an auxiliary supporting means, a pivot supporting means secured to the crutch frame and selectively lockable in a number of pivot positions, an aperture in said pivot supporting means slidably receiving said auxiliary supporting means, a series of longitudinally spaced notches on one side of said auxiliary supporting means, and retaining means extendible into said aperture for engaging said notches to hold said auxiliary supporting means in a xed position within said aperture, said auxiliary supporting means being disengageable from said retaining means by rotating the same within said aperture to bring said notches out of engagement with said retaining means.

5. In combination with a walking crutch frame having a ground-engaging end, an auxiliary supporting means, a pivot supporting means secured to the crutch av'znoso frame and selectively lockable in a number of pivot posit-ions, an aperture in said pivot supporting means slidably receiving said auxiliary supporting means, a series of longitudinally spaced notches on said auxiliary supporting means, and retaining means extendible into said aperture for engaging said notches to hold said auxiliary supporting means in a xed position within said aperture.

6. An attachment for use with a crutch frame to facilitate the ascending and descending of stairs and the like, comprising an auxiliary supporting member having a slender bottom end, first means pivotally supporting said auxiliary supporting member, second means associated wit-h said first means for locking said auxiliary support member in a number of selectable pivot positions, means for varying the distance between the bottom end of said auxiliary supporting means and the pivot axis therefor, and means for attaching said pivot supporting member to a crutch frame.

7. An attachment for use with a crutch frame to facililtate the ascending and descending of stairs and the like, comprising an auxiliary supporting member, first means pivotally supporting said auxiliary supporting member, second means associated with said lirst means for locking said auxiliary support member in a number of selectable pivot positions, and means for attaching said first means to a crutch frame.

8. An attachment for use with a crutch frame to facilitate the ascending and descending of stairs and t-he like, comprising an auxiliary extendible supporting member, means pivotally supporting said auxiliary supporting member comprising a pair of cooperating interlockable disk members and a pivot pin secured to one of the disk members and rotatably receiving the other disk member, releaseable means for bringing said disk members into interlocking engagement to prevent the relative rotation thereof, and means associated with one of the disk members for connectingl the same to a crutch frame.

9. An attachment for use with a crutch frame to facilitate the ascending and descending of stairs and the like, comprising an auxiliary supporting member, a pivotable member selectively lockable in a number of pivot positions, an aperture in said pivotable member slidably receiving said auxiliary supporting member, a series of longitudinally spaced notches on one side of said auxiliary supporting member, and retaining means on said pivotable member which is extendible into said aperture for engaging said notches to hold said auxiliary supporting means in a iixed position in the aperture, said supporting means being disengageable from said retaining means by rotating the same within said aperture to bring said notches out of engagement with said retaining means.

10. An attachment for use with a crutch frame to facilitate the ascending and descending of stairs and the like, comprising an auxiliary supporting member, a pivotable member selectively lockable in a number of pivot positions, an aperture -in said pivotable member slidably receiving said auxiliary supporting member, a series of llongitudinally spaced notches on said auxiliary supporting member, and retaining means on said pivotable member which is extendible into said aperture for engaging said notches to -hold said auxiliary supporting means in a fixed position in the aperture.

11. The combination comprising a pair of laterally spaced crutch frames, a pair of supporting legs associated with each crutch frame and having bottom ends which are at different elevations, the supporting legs associated with each of the crutchframes being disposed forwardly of the other supporting leg of the same frame, and a horizontally disposed U-shaped crossbar extending between said crutch frames for rigidly securing the two together, the intermediate or crosswise extending portion of the crossbar being substantially in front of the crutch frames to provide clearance for bodily movement of the user.

l2. The combination comprising a pair of laterally spaced crutch frames, each of said crutch frames having an armpit engaging member at one end land the other end constituting a ground-engaging end therefor, a cross- .bar extending between said crutch frames for rigidly securing the two together, said cross bar having C-shaped rigid collarson the opposite ends thereof which embrace said respective crutch frames and are seated on laterally extending portions associated with said crutch frames, and resilient clasping fingers extending from said collars and resiliently embracing said crutch frames to permit the ready removal and insertion of said cross bar on said crutch frames.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,063,846 Winthers June 3, 1913 1,505,081 Arndt Aug. 19, 1924 2,223,911 Garnette Dec. 3, 1940 2,642,074 Pedley et al. June 1.6, 1953 2,656,874 Robb Oct. 27, 1953 2,738,830 Black Mar, 20, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 122,694 Great Britain Ian. 30, 1919 135,275 VGreat Britain Nov. 18, 1919 

